October offers up lots of
entertainment surprises
Plenty of events, some spooky, in this month of abundance
By Byron Toben
October 12, 2022
To October 15
The 23rd edition of the Montreal Off Jazz Festival, with lots of local talent, which began on October 6, continues at various sites.
To October 30
The Grand Festival of Organ Music, which began on October 2, continues.
Scene from Cyclorama – Image: Valérie Remise
To November 5
Cyclorama plays at Centaur Theatre, Théâtre d’aujourd’hui and on a bus that takes audiences to both theatres as each celebrates its 50th anniversary on the same night.
October 15
Confabulation Presents: Not My Job, one-night autobiographical storytelling at the Mainline Theatre.
Frankenstein: A Living Comic Book… Adapted from Mary Shelley’s 1816 novel… tops the autumn don’t miss list.
October 19
Rob Lutes on Canadian Songs at the Cummings Centre.
October 19 to 30
Frankenstein: A Living Comic Book plays at the Segal Centre studio. Adapted from Mary Shelley’s 1816 novel, written by her as a ghost story as she, her husband poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron and his physician wintered in Geneva, Switzerland. With the collaboration of Rick Miller, Paul Van Dyck and Craig Francis (who directs), this tops the autumn don’t miss list.
The Rocky Horror Show – Image: courtesy of the Mainline Theatre
October 20 to 31
The Rocky Horror Show again plays at the Mainline Theatre as it has for several years ’round Halloween time to a cult following.
October 23 to November 13
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors plays at Segal Centre. Besides being directed by Gordon Greenberg (The Angel and the Sparrow), this “lightning fast, laugh out loud, irreverent farce” brings back popular Ellen David to the Segal main stage. Promises to be another don’t miss-er.
‘Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors… this “lightning fast, laugh out loud, irreverent farce” brings back popular Ellen David to the Segal main stage.’
October 25
Female Power, an annual fundraiser for Talisman Theatre at Bar Paul Seurat of the Union Française, 429 Viger E, Montreal. This cocktail dinatoire will honour themes from its most recent production, Night From the 4th to 5th. Special guest jazz star Susie Arioli (vocal) with Mike de Masi (bass) and Tim Bland (guitar). Hors d’oeuvres, wine and deserts.
October 27
The fourth annual Fondation Lorenzetti Gala fundraiser happens at Maison Principale, a magnificent converted church at 872 du Couvent, Montreal. Food, wine and live performances by Britany Kennell, Gwen Torriani, Mackenzie Moreau, Denis Ducharme and Opera Fose.
Feature image: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors promo image
Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since terminated web sites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, print weekly The Downtowner and print monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.
Re Cyclorama: Last night’s première was nothing short of daringly great! Innovative, just bright, real and very refreshing! Some of the facts about Montreal theatre were a bit off (they forgot to mention the significant involvement of Jean Grimaldi..). And sadly, when Laurence Dauphinais was mentioning that in 1967, Maurice Podbrey started what was to become Centaur (it flopped then it was restarted in 1969 and still goes on..) and he was sitting about 15 ft. away, a standing ovation should have been in order… Great play and one of the best!